Category Archives: Contests May

May 3 2011

Halfway Down the Stairs Anthology

Deadline: May 15, 2011

Guidelines: Halfway Down the Stairs

Halfway Down the Stairs publishes a quarterly journal, each with a unique theme. The submission period for the June 2011 issue closes May 15. The theme of this issue is “Time.” Any genre is acceptable except for children’s and erotica. The journal leans toward literary and mainstream work. Stories may be fiction, or nonfiction, and poetry is also accepted.

Submission to the journal is free. It’s also a “for the love” market, meaning there is no payment for each piece. They request 3 months exclusive electronic rights, with non-exclusive electronic rights thereafter. This means they publish the story online for three months, after which the author may publish it elsewhere, but it will remain in the journal’s online archives indefinitely.

Happy writing!

Apr 26 2011

The First Line Summer 2011 Call for Submissions

Entry fee: Free

Deadline: May 1, 2011

Guidelines: The First Line

“We need to talk.”

Begin your compelling, original story with that line, and send it to the folks at The First Line. These anthologies are published by Blue Cubicle Press and are sold online and through many bookstores. You can order back issues from their site, or check out the sample stories from past issues.

This isn’t a regular contest. It’s actually a call for submissions. The editors send out the call quarterly, with a different first line for each issue. The wide variety of stories produced using the same first words attests to the creative spirit. Stories may be in any genre, and up to 3,000 words. No previously published works are accepted.

Time is short for this edition, so you might want to start work on a story for the Fall 2011 issue. Begin with this line:

Edwin spotted them both the moment he stepped off the train.

Have fun with this one, and good luck!

Apr 14 2011

Iron Horse Literary Review Father’s Day Issue

Submission Fee: Free

Deadline: May 6, 2011

Guidelines: Iron Horse Literary Review

Iron Horse Literary Review, or IHLR, is the lit mag of the English Department at Texas Tech. They publish fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art. They are looking for stories to fill the Father’s Day issue. The interpretation of what Father’s Day means to you or what it should mean is left wide open to the creative imagination.

Stories selected for the magazine will be paid $100, poetry will be paid $40. They advise you to read the magazine before submitting to see what appeals to the editors.

Happy writing!

Apr 12 2011

Mason’s Road Literary Journal Contest and Submissions

Entry fee: Free or $15 (See explanation in article)

Deadline: May 1, 2011

Guidelines: Mason’s Road

Mason’s Road is the literary journal of the MFA in Creative Writing program at Fairfield University. As such, they’re looking for writing that exemplifies an MFA program. It might be experimental or more traditional, playful or serious, but definitely creative.

Submission to the journal is free. However, for those who wish to enter the contest, there is a $15 reading fee. The winner will receive $1,000 in addition to publication.

The theme of this issue is “Arc,” as in story arc, tension, and dramatic techniques to build a story a reader can’t put down.

Happy writing!

Feb 22 2011

Fairy Tale Magazine Open to Submissions

Fee: FREE

Deadline: Feb. 24, 2011, May 14, 2011, June 30, 2011, and September 30, 2011

Guidelines: Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine

Payment: Fiction and nonfiction: $0.10 per word, Poetry: $50 flat rate

Picture of fairies by moonlight

Image by Jeroen Kransen, Queen Fabiola's Fairy Tale

Fairy tales aren’t just for children anymore. This magazine takes fairy tales to new realms of wonder and enchantment.

The deadlines above are for different issues. The February issue is with a Rumpelstilstkin theme. Check the website for the themes of each subsequent issue. Read the guidelines carefully, because the open window for submissions is usually just a few days long.

You may write a story up to 1,500 words following the issue’s theme, or submit original poetry. Fairy tales are all about the romance of true love and dreams coming true. Unless they’re of the darker kind, such as where witches eat children or mermaids turn into sea foam.

If you love fairy tales and you love creating new enchanted stories or poems, check out this site. The artwork is phenomenal.

I’m a fairy tale lover, and have a new story East of the Sun and West of the Moon Redux coming out in the July 2011 issue of Pink Narcissus Press. If you get published in A Fairy Tale Magazine, share your good news here. I’ll tweet it for you.

Have fun writing your new fairy tale!

Feb 15 2011

Robert Traver Fly Fishing Award 2011

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: May 16, 2011

Guidelines: FlyRodReel.com

Calling all fly-fishing enthusiasts! Take advantage of your love of angling and write about your sport. This contest offers hefty cash prizes of up to $2,000 and possible publication in the Autumn 2011 edition of Fly Rod and Reel as well as on the website.

According to the guidelines, entries should be “a distinguished original essay or work of short fiction that embodies an implicit love of fly-fishing, respect for the sport and the natural world in which it takes place, and high literary values.” Stories and essays may be up to 3,500 words.

  • First prize: $2,000 from the John D. Voelker Foundation
  • Second prize: $750
  • Third prize: $250

This is an annual contest that reels in the best in angler writing. At the website, one may order a book of award winning essays, and some are published online.

Submissions are by hard copy only, and may include a CD or DVD with the manuscript. Mail with a large SASE to:

Fly Rod & Reel

Robert Traver Award

PO Box 370

Camden, ME 04843.

Good luck, and happy writing and fishing!

Nov 16 2010

The First Line Writing Prompts for 2011

Entry fee: FREE

Deadlines: Quarterly. See the blog post.

Guidelines: The First Line

One of the best ways to get better at writing is to write. Write well, write often, write regularly. One way to do this is to participate in contests or submit to magazines and ezines that have regular deadlines. The First Line is such a good magazine that I always recommend it on the blog. All you have to do is write a story using the first line they declare for that issue. Here are the prompts and deadlines for the year 2011.

Spring 2011: Sam was a loyal employee.

(Submissions due February 1, 2011.)

Summer 2011: “We need to talk.”

(Submissions due May 1, 2011.)

Fall 2011: Edwin spotted them the moment he stepped off the train.

(Submissions due August 1, 2011.)

Winter 2011: It had been a long year.

(Submissions due November 1, 2011.)

Happy writing, and good luck in your pursuit of publication.

Apr 2 2010

Dissent Magazine Paul Goodman Essay Contest

Deadline: May 1, 2010

Entry Fee: FREE

Guidelines: http://dissentmagazine.org/essaycontest/

If you write serious literature, or if you have a strong opinion you want to voice about today’s social or political climate, consider entering the Paul Goodman Essay Contest at Dissent Magazine. This publication strives to keep the ideas and ideals of the poet and novelist Paul Goodman alive. Study the website and its offerings carefully before submitting. The winner will receive $1,000 and publication in Dissent Magazine.

Mar 16 2010

Reading Writers Contest by The Verb

Guidelines: http://www.readingwriters.com/contest.htm

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: May 15, 2010

The Verb E-zine runs several writing contests every year, each with a different theme. The theme of this contest is “Once Upon a Day.” Using the idea, create a story in 1,000 words or less that describes a day that lives in infamy for your protagonist. Any genre is acceptable; romance, thriller, comedy, whatever you like to write. There are two specifications, however.

  1. The first line of the story must read, “The sun rose…”
  2. The last line of the story must read, “…just as the sun went down.”

The winner receives $100 and publication in The Verb. You must submit electronically and follow the guidelines carefully. It would be a sad day for a writer who was disqualified because he or she didn’t follow directions.

Have fun with this one, and happy writing.

May 14 2009

Robert Traver Fly-Fishing Writing Award 2009

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: June 1, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.flyrodreel.com/node/11777

Calling all fly-fishing enthusiasts! Take advantage of your love of angling and write about your sport. This contest offers hefty cash prizes of up to $2,000 and publication in the October/November 2009 issue of Fly Rod and Reel.

According to the guidelines, entries should be “a distinguished original essay or work of short fiction that embodies an implicit love of fly-fishing, respect for the sport and the natural world in which it takes place, and high literary values.” Stories and essays may be up to 3,500 words. Reel in cash and a prominent clip for your stellar writing.